Stretchable cap structure with reduced length of stretchable material in sweatband

ABSTRACT

A cap structure with reduced length of stretchable material in sweatband without deteriorating the stretchability of the cap. The cap has a semi-spherical crown, a peak and a two-segment sweatband comprising a non-stretchable sweatband portion sewn at the area where is corresponding to said peak and a stretchable sweatband portion sewn at the other portion except the area where said non-stretchable sweatband locates both at the lower peripheral edge of said crown to get the maximum covering effect of the stretchable cap and further to reduce the cost of production of the cap by reducing the stretchable material in the sweatband.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention is related to a cap structure with reduced length of stretchable material in sweatband, and especially to such a cap structure that can allow changing the size measuring around the entire sweatband and of the crown of the cap. In a conventional stretchable cap structure, expensive stretchable material is used for entire sweatband, however, due to the rigidity of the peak, the portion of stretchable material of the sweatband which is adjacent to the peak portion cannot present its original intended function stretchability. Therefore in the present invention by providing the partially stretchable two-segment sweatband which not only can effectively reduce the wasting stretchable material in the sweatband to thereby reduce the cost of production of the cap but also can get the maximum covering effect of the stretchable cap. The structure especially suits the structures of various caps or the like.

[0003] 2. Description of the Prior Art

[0004] Styles of caps are various; in addition to the functions of sun shading and keeping warm, they can provide the function of decoration. Conventionally, there are two types of caps: fixed-size caps and adjustable caps, while there are two kinds of fixed size cap: single-size caps and stretchable caps. A single-size cap is non-adjustable which can only suit a very narrow rang of head sizes, and cap manufacturers have to produce a lot of different sizes of cap to satisfy wearer's demand, this may increase the cost of production. A conventional stretchable cap can suit a much wider range of head sizes than a single-size cap by having the combined panels of each crown connected with an elastic sweatband; the crown of each cap is stretched by the elastic sweatband for changing the size measuring around the entire sweatband and of the crown of the cap to suit various head sizes.

[0005] However, the above stated structures mostly use non-elastic material at the front part of the crown of each cap for the functions of sun shading and keeping rain away; while the elastic sweatband is more expensive for production, it will increase the cost of production and will be wasteful when it is used at the area where the front part of the crown is made of non-elastic material.

[0006] While the adjustable caps use an adjustable-length closure at the bottom of the open area which is disposed at the rear of the cap to adjust the sizes; however, such type can only allow adjustment at the rear open area of the crown, the cap thereby is subjected to bunching up on the rear panels, hence impairs its aesthetic appearance.

[0007] In view of this, the inventor of the present invention develops the cap structure with reduced length of stretchable material in sweatband that can allow changing the size measuring around the entire sweatband and of the crown of the cap and can reduce the cost of production.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] The primary object of the present invention is to provide a cap structure with reduced length of stretchable material in sweatband, wherein by providing a two-segment sweatband and a plurality of stretchable elastic gores, the size measuring around the entire sweatband and of the crown of the cap can be changed to get the maximum covering effect of the stretchable cap.

[0009] Another object of the present invention is to provide a cap structure with reduced length of stretchable material in sweatband, wherein by providing a two-segment sweatband comprising a non-stretchable sweatband portion of lower cost sewn at the area where the lower peripheral edge on the inside of the crown which is corresponding the peak position of the cap, thus, the cost of production can be effectively reduced to avoid functional waste of the stretchable material at the non-stretchable area corresponding to the peak area.

[0010] To get the above stated objects, the crown of the present invention has a plurality of stretchable gores butt-connected mutually to form a semi-spherical shape; the crown is provided by sewing on the front side thereof with a peak panel; a non-stretchable sweatband portion is sewn at the area where the peak panel is corresponding to the crown. The other portions at the lower peripheral edge on the inside of the crown except the area where the non-stretchable sweatband portion locates are connected by sewing with the stretchable sweatband portion to form the cap structure with reduced length of stretchable material in sweatband. By providing the two-segment sweatband and the plurality of stretchable gores the size measuring around the entire sweatband and of the crown of the cap can be changed to get the maximum covering effect of the stretchable cap. And by providing the non-stretchable sweatband portion, the cost of production can be effectively reduced to avoid functional waste of the stretchable material for the non-stretchable peak area.

[0011] The present invention will be apparent in its particular structure and characteristics after reading the detailed description of the preferred embodiment thereof in reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012]FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of an embodiment of the present invention;

[0013]FIG. 2 is an analytic perspective view of the embodiment of the present invention;

[0014]FIG. 3a is a plane view of the embodiment of the present invention;

[0015]FIG. 3b is a schematic view showing the embodiment of the present invention in a stretched state.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0016] Referring firstly to FIGS. 1, 2, the cap structure with reduced length of stretchable material in sweatband of the present invention is comprised of a plurality of stretchable gores 11, a peak 20, a stretchable sweatband portion 31 and a non-stretchable sweatband portion 40.

[0017] Wherein, the stretchable gores 11 are each in the shape of a triangle sheet made by stretchable fabric, and can be uniformly stretched when in bearing an external pulling force.

[0018] The peak 20 is a curved board in order that the cap can shade the sunshine and rain.

[0019] The stretchable sweatband portion 31 is a strip made of stretchable material to be elastically stretched. The non-stretchable sweatband portion 40 is also a strip.

[0020] Referring firstly to FIG. 1, when the present invention is assembled, the stretchable gores 11 are butt-connected mutually to form a hollow semi-spherical crown 10; the crown 10 is provided by sewing on the front side thereof with the peak 20; the non-stretchable sweatband portion 40 is sewn at the area where the peak 20 corresponding to the lower peripheral edge of the inner side of the crown 10. The other portions at the lower peripheral edge of the inner side of the crown 10 except the area where the non-stretchable sweatband portion 40 locates are interconnected by sewing with the stretchable sweatband portion 31 to form an entire circle of sweatband 30. By combination of the above members, the cap structure with reduced length of stretchable material in sweatband is completed.

[0021] Referring to FIGS. 3a and 3 b, when the present invention is worn on a head, by contact of the head with the crown 10, the crown 10 bears an expanding pulling force, the stretchable gores 11 can be uniformly stretched by their own elasticity, the stretchable sweatband portion 31 is also uniformly stretched to elongate. Thereby, the size of the entire circle of sweatband 30 can be effectively changed to suit wearers of different head sizes; the shape and size of the crown 10 can also be changed in pursuance of different head sizes to get the maximum covering effect of the stretchable cap.

[0022] Referring to FIG. 3a, as to the connecting area of the crown 10 with the peak 20, the stretchable gores 11 and the peak 20 are sewn together, hence the elasticity of the stretchable gores 11 is restrained by the peak 20 from making the entire circle of sweatband 30 stretch elastically; while the non-stretchable sweatband portion 40 sewn at the lower peripheral edge of the inner side of the crown 10 is not stretchable, thereby its cost is lower than that of the elastically stretchable sweatband portion 31 and can effectively reduce the cost of production and avoid functional waste of the stretchable material for at the area corresponding to the peak board.

[0023] The present invention thereby has the following advantages:

[0024] 1. By providing the two-segment sweatband and the stretchable gores, the size measuring around the entire sweatband and of the crown of the cap of the present invention can be changed to get the maximum covering effect of the stretchable cap, the practicality of the cap therefore can be increased.

[0025] 2. By providing the non-stretchable sweatband portion of lower cost sewn at the area of the lower peripheral edge of the front side of the crown is corresponding to the peak of the cap, the cost of production can be effectively reduced to avoid functional waste of the stretchable material for the non-stretchable peak area. And the present invention can be of industrial value.

[0026] In conclusion, not only the present invention can get rid of the defect of conventional cap structures, but also the size measuring around the entire sweatband and of the crown of the cap of the present invention can be changed to get the maximum covering effect of the elastic cap by providing the two-segment sweatband and the stretchable gores. Further, the non-stretchable sweatband portion can effectively reduce the cost of production and avoid functional waste of the stretchable material for the non-stretchable peak area. And the practicality as well as convenience of the cap can be increased. The present invention suits various cap structures and thereby is industrial valuable.

[0027] The stretchable cap structure forming by the elements stated above is only for illustrating a preferred embodiment of the present invention, and not for giving any limitation to the scope of the present invention. It will be apparent to those skilled in this art that various modifications or changes made without departing from the spirit of this invention shall fall within the scope of the appended claims of this invention. 

1. A cap structure with reduced length of stretchable material in sweatband comprising: a semi-spherical crown, a peak, and a two-segment sweatband; wherein said crown is composed of a plurality of gores made by stretchable fabric, and is uniformly stretched when being expanded in use; said peak is composed of a peak board and outer covering fabric layers, is secured at the lower peripheral edge on the front side of the crown; said two-segment sweatband comprises a non-stretchable sweatband portion and a stretchable sweatband portion interconnected by sewing, is secured around the lower peripheral edge inside of the crown; said non-stretchable sweatband portion is a non-stretchable strip made of non-stretchable material, the length of said non-stretchable sweatband portion is about that of said peak, and is sewn at the area where is corresponding to said peak; the other portion at said lower peripheral edge of said crown except the area where said non-stretchable sweatband locates is sewn with said stretchable sweatband; said stretchable sweatband portion is a strip made of stretchable material. 